NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE

NATURAL VEGETATIONANDWILDLIFE

LESSONATA GLANCEWe share this planet with millions of other living creatures, starting from micro-organisms and bacteria, lichens to banyan trees, elephants and blue whales. If we look around ourselves, we will able to find that there are some animals and plants which are unique in our area. In fact, India is one of the richest countries in the terms of biological diversity.

Virgin VegetationIt refers to a plant community which has grown with the help of natural factors, without human aid, and has been undisturbed by man for a long time.

Mega biodiversityThe concept of mega biodiversity was introduced by World Bank. India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries in the world. Around 10% of Indias species and more than 21% of its 372 mammal species are endangered.

FloraThe total plantation cover consisting of forests, grasslands and shrubs. It is the original natural vegetation of the area.

FaunaThe animal life of an given area is known as Fauna.

Factors of flora and faunaReliefClimate

ReliefLandSoil

land

We see different kinds of vegetation in the mountainous region, plains and plateau and desert area. The kind of plants which grow in dry and wet areas also differ. The land influence the natural vegetation. The fertile land is used for cultivation and growing crops. The woodland and grassland grow in rough terrains and slopes.

Soil

The soil differ from place to place, and each soil has different characteristics and support different types of plants e.g. the dry sandy soil of the desert supports cactus and thorny bushes. The water and soil of the delta region support mangroves and wetland forests.

ClimateTemperaturePhotoperiodPrecipitation

TemperatureIt determines the extent of vegetation along with soil, precipitation and humidity. In places above the snow line, in Tundra region, only mosses and lichens are found. In the areas of high temperature and heavy rainfall., many species of plants, trees, bushes, scrubs and creepers are found at the same place.

Photoperiod

The amount of sunlight received by a place depends upon the latitude of a place, altitude, season, duration of day. The trees grow faster due to longer sunlight

Precipitation

In India most of the rainfall is brought by the advancing south-west monsoon and retreating north-east monsoon. Areas of heavy rainfall have dense vegetation and dry and arid region have sparse vegetation.Vegetation ZoneMean annual Ave. Temp. (C)Mean Temp. in Jan.RemarksTropicalAbove 24CAbove 18CNo FrostSub-Tropical17C - 24C10C - 18CFrost is rareTemperate7C - 17C-1C (-10C)Frost/some snowAlpineBelow 7CBelow -1CSnow

Table 1 : Temperature Characteristics of the Vegetation Zones

Importance Of ForestsForest helps to enhance the quality of environments.They modify the local climateThey control soil erosionThey regulate the flow of streamsThey control the wind forceThey maintain temperatureThey cause rainfallThey provide humus to the soilThey provide shelter to wildlife

Forest Area covered in India (State-wise)

EcosystemAll the plants and animals in an area are independent and interrelation to each other in their physical department.

Types Of Vegetation In IndiaTropical RainforestTropical Deciduous ForestTropical Thorn Forest & ScrubsMountain ForestMangrove Forest

Tropical Rain ForestThey are found in areas having more than 200 cm of rainfall.This region is warm and wet throughout the year.Some examples of trees are Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona etc.Some examples of animals are Elephant, Monkey, Deer and Lemur etc.

Tropical Deciduous ForestThey are found in areas having 70 cm to 200 cm of rainfall.They are of two types : 1. Moist 2. DrySome examples of trees are Teak, Sal, Peepal and Neem etc.Some examples of animals are Lion, Tiger, Pig and Deer etc.

Tropical Thorn Forest And ScrubsThey are found in areas having less than 70 cm of rainfall.This region is dry most time of the year.Some examples of trees are Cactus, Palms etc.Some examples of animals are Rats, Lion, Mice and Wild Ass etc.

Mountain Forest

They are found mostly in HimalayasIn this region, vegetation differ with altitude.Some examples of trees are Chestnuts, Oaks etc.Some examples of animals are Rabbit, Sheep, Goats and Red Panda etc.

Mangrove Forest

They are found mostly in Deltas i.e. Sunder bans Delta in West BengalThe roots of these plants are submerged in water.Some examples of trees are Coconut, Palm etc.Some examples of animals are Royal Bengal Tiger, Crocodiles etc.

Medicinal PlantsSarpagandhaJamunArjunNeemTulsiBabool

Arjun

Babool

Wildlife

India has 89,000 of animal species and 1200 species of birds.They constitute 13% of worlds total.There are 12% of worlds fish stock.It also shares 5-8% of worlds amphibians, reptiles and mammals.India Has 14 biospheres to flora and fauna.Hunting, Pollution, Acid deposits and cutting forests are dangers to Indias Flora and Fauna.Protect Tiger, Protect Rhino e.g. 89 National Parks, 490 wildlife sanctuaries and many more.

Statewise distribution of area covered by wildlife sanctuaries in India (2006)

Thank You!!!!Submitted By :Ashutosh TyagiIX CRoll No.10

Submitted to: Dr. N.S. SindhuTGT (Geography)Dayawati Modi Academy

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